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Purple Heron’s Catch

on 2nd August 2013

“I encountered the Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) regularly at the Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park. Usually it was just after sunset during the wintering seasons. Most of the time only one was seen, either at tree-tops or near the water edge patiently waiting for prey. On one occasion two were seen near to each other.

“For the first time on 9th July 2013, at about 7.20 pm (just past the sunset time of 7.16 pm), I had the fortune of witnessing a complete episode of the heron catching and consuming a fish. From nowhere, it glided to a graceful landing near the water edge. It must have spotted something as it adopted a hunting stance and walked nearer to the flowing water . After a while, it plunged into the water, with its wings spread out for balance. In a flash it struck its bill into the water and caught a fish (the exciting part was unfortunately not recorded in the video and a still picture of it in the water with the struggling fish in the bill was used as a fill-in instead) (above). It then returned to the dry land, almost dropping the catch but immediately retrieved it. Without trying to stun the fish, it just manipulated and aligned the wriggling fish before tilting the head slightly to swallow it. It then raised the head, straighten the neck to let the fish slide down its digestive system. It then returned to the water for the customary sip.

“This heron must be a resident here as it is not the wintering season now.

“Watch the video below.”

Sun Chong Hong
Singapore
16th July 2013

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

2 Responses

  1. Amazing capture and story here! It looked like that pretty big fish was putting up a desperate fight, but was still swallowed alive?? I wonder, would a (poor fish) that size stand any slim chance of wriggling out to escape the hungry herons stomach if eaten in that condition as well?!

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